PA 3002: Basic Methods of Policy Analysis

PA 3002: Basic Methods of Policy Analysis Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of MN 09/05/2017 - 12/13/2017 Mon & Wed 1:00PM - 2:15PM UMTC, West Bank Humphrey 184

I. Course Description

The complex economic, political and social issues that define our world are not easily solved. PA 3002 teaches students to apply the methods and techniques of the social science discipline to address these multifaceted challenges that increasingly confront public agencies and nonprofit organizations.

PA 3002 introduces students to policy analysis as an academic discipline that offers a systematic, structured way of thinking about the design, development, implementation and assessment of public policy. As taught in this course, policy analysis helps inform viable and effective policy choices by drawing on the basic quantitative and analytical methods common to the social sciences, particularly economic analysis.

Like all social science courses, PA 3002 explains the ways social processes enable and constrain human actions, including the possibilities for individuals to shape their cultural, social, economic and political worlds. This course teaches policy analysis as a scientific methodology, which not only allows students to appreciate how social science attempts to explain these socioeconomic processes, but also provides them with the opportunity to actually do the work of social scientists through applied research, analysis, and presentation of policy recommendations.

The course is designed to equip future leaders with both the academic foundations and practical tools and analytical techniques they need to be successful in their careers. Basic concepts and tools for problem definition, data collection and analysis, alternatives identification and evaluation, presentation techniques, and implementation strategies are taught using individual and team case studies and real-world problem assignments.

Assignments are designed to foster an understanding of how the policy analysis process works, and to provide students with practical experience in using effective techniques and applied social science methodologies. The diverse selection of case studies include such current topics as sports stadiums, teenage driving restrictions, housing assistance, on-campus parking, light rail transit, missing children, movie ratings, plastic bag taxation, substance abuse, lakefront and downtown development. The course culminates in a comprehensive team policy analysis exercise.

PA 3002 is designed for students who share an interest in quantitative techniques to analyze issues of public policy. This multidisciplinary course is appropriate for students from various undergraduate majors, including economics, political science, business and other social sciences. In particular, this introductory course provides a firm academic and

1 technical background for students preparing for graduate studies and careers in public and nonprofit organizations at the local, state, national and international levels. Class time is approximately 40 percent lecture, 30 percent interactive discussion and 30 percent small group activity. Reading (Workload averages about 20 pages of reading per week), thirteen graded assignments, one group case presentation, all of which are designed to help students apply the policy concepts and practical techniques learned in class.

II. Desired Student Outcomes

1. Understand how the social science discipline explores interrelationships among individuals, institutions and systems, and allows individuals to shape their cultural, social, economic and political worlds through sound public policy analysis,

2. Understand basic policy analysis concepts and practical techniques, and develop the capability to define, prepare and present effective policy analyses for nonprofit organizations and public agencies,

3. Master basic knowledge, terminology and applied skills in problem formulation, primary, secondary and web-based research, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, economic analysis, policy selection, implementation and monitoring, and

4. Improve explanatory and persuasive communication skills for diverse audiences to effectively implement recommended policy strategies.

III. Instructor

Jay Kiedrowski, EdD Senior Fellow, Humphrey School of Public affairs 612-626-5026 [email protected] Room: HHH 248 Office Hours: M/W 11:00 to 12:30 and upon request

IV. Learning Design

A. Learning Methods

• Reading and studying assigned materials, supplemented by instructor presentations and interactive class discussions. • Preparing problem-solving practical assignments.

• Preparing collaboratively a group case presentation.

2 B. Workload

Required work consists of assigned readings, participation in class, graded assignments, two unannounced quizzes, and a group case study presentation. The course generally follows a format in which one topic is covered each week. Students are expected to have read and studied the assigned material, including the assigned homework, and come prepared to discuss the assignments in an interactive class dialogue. Lecture power points for all topics are available on Moodle at the beginning of the class to guide student readings and class preparation.

Attendance counts toward Participation points (1 per class except the last two classes). Also, students will be required to bring to class a policy issue and lead the class in a discussion of it once during the semester (0-3 points). Participation is 30% of the total grade.

In connection with the assigned readings, there will be thirteen Assignments, which must be printed, and are due at the beginning of the assigned class period, since the assignment will be discussed during the class. Make two copies (one for me and one for you) of the assignments. These assignments are designed to help students understand and effectively apply the concepts learned in class and are worth 2-5 points each. The assignments are to be completed alone. The assignments constitute 30% of the total grade.

To insure that students are reading material from the textbook, there will be two unannounced quizzes during the semester. Each quiz will be 5 points, which represents 10% of the course grade.

Group Case Presentations involve actual comprehensive policy analyses, and allow students to demonstrate their mastery of the analytical and communication skills they have learned. These case studies constitute 30% of the final grade. Groups and cases will be assigned half way through the course.

Because the weekly assignments build on and complement each other, students are strongly encouraged not to fall behind. All grades will be posted on Moodle as they are earned so that students can track course progress.

C. Student Assessment

Participation 30 points Graded Assignments 30 points Two Unannounced Quizzes 10 points Group Presentation 30 points Total 100 points

3 Grading levels are as follows: Grade Points A 90.0 & Above A- 87.5-89.9 B+ 83.5-87.4 B 80.0-83.4 B- 77.5-79.9 C+ 73.5-77.4 C 70.0-73.4 C- 67.5-69.9 D+ 63.5-67.4 D 60.0-63.4 No Credit 59.9 & Below

I (Incomplete may be assigned at my discretion if, due to extraordinary circumstances, the student was prevented from completing their course work on time. The assignment of an Incomplete requires the written agreement of the instructor and the student specifying the time in which the student will complete the outstanding work.) There is no “extra credit” available in this course.

D. Textbook and Reading Materials

Required Text: Text: Patton, Carl; Sawicki, David and Clark, Jennifer (2013). Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning, 3/E, Pearson.

Moodle. Assignments, power-point presentations, announcements, grades, case studies, data, and other material will be posted on the Moodle site. Students are strongly encouraged to check the Moodle site regularly.

E. Attendance

Students are expected to read all material, complete all assignments, and be on time to class so they can actively participate in class discussions. Points will be deducted from participation grades for absences and tardiness. All assignments must be submitted in person, at the start of class. If unavoidably absent, students are responsible for immediately notifying the instructor, and making arrangements to promptly submit any missed assignments when due, or as soon as possible thereafter.

F. Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class, and the University of Minnesota’s Student Conduct Code will be strictly applied. Students are expected to complete all assignments by themselves and not share their work with others, with the exception of the team exercise.

4 V. Course Outline

9-6 Introduction Discussion of course expectations and overview of policy analysis - what it entails and why it is used. Interdisciplinary nature of policy formulation and analysis.

9-11 Need for Simple Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning How social sciences explore interrelationships among individuals, institutions and systems, and allow individuals to shape their cultural, social, economic and political worlds. Basic analysis vs. researched analysis.

Read Chapter 1 and be prepared to discuss.

9-13 Need for Simple Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning (Continued)

Complete Assignment 1 (1 point)

9-18 Role of the Policy Analyst

Read Chapters 2.1-2.3 and be prepared to discuss.

9-20 Policy Analysis Process Practical principles and basic steps in policy analysis. Analytical methodologies, including the six basic analytical steps: (1) problem definition, (2) evaluation criteria, (3) alternatives identification, (4) alternatives analysis, (5) selection, and (6) implementation. Interrelationships with social science disciplines.

Read Chapter 2.4-2.6 and be prepared to discuss.

Complete Assignment 2 (4 points)

9-25 Cross-cutting Methods Data collection and basic data analysis. Identifying and collecting data, including public repositories, web-based research, original and secondary sources. Interviewing and survey methodologies, including questionnaire construction, sample selection and interviewing techniques. Evaluating the quality of information and basic data analysis, including descriptive, statistical and graphic techniques. Communicating with descriptive, tabular and graphical displays.

9-27 Cross-cutting Methods (Continued)

5 Read Chapter 3.5-3.9 and be prepared to discuss.

10-9 Verifying, Defining, and Detailing the Problem Identifying, verifying and defining problems, calculation techniques. Developing problem statements (including simple problem sentence), delineating fact bases and listing goals. Back-of-the-envelope calculations and reasonableness tests. Incorporating ethical, political and socioeconomic considerations. Multidisciplinary ways of thinking that can be used to synthesize and analyze local, regional, national and global connections.

10-11 Verifying, Defining, and detailing the Problem (Continued)

10-16 Establishing Evaluation Criteria Establishing evaluation criteria and cost analysis concepts. Commonly employed evaluation criteria, including technical feasibility, financial and economic reasonableness, political viability and administrative operability. Important economic concepts in policy analysis, including market considerations, cost and benefit calculations, externalities elasticity, marginal analysis and equity. Interrelationships among individuals and institutions, public, nonprofit and private organizations, government regulatory and market force dichotomies.

10-18 Establishing Evaluation Criteria (Continued)

10-23 Identifying Alternatives Developing policy alternatives. Choices, sources and methodologies, including research methods, status quo and ideal scenario baselines, quick surveys, comparisons of real-world experiences, passive research and classification, brainstorming and experts interviews. Creating variations, modifying existing solutions and avoiding pitfalls. Emphasis on identifying multidisciplinary options.

10-25 Identifying Alternatives (Continued)

6 10-30 Identifying Alternatives (Continued)

11-1 Identifying Alternatives (Continued)

11-6 Evaluating Alternative Policies Forecasting techniques and other basic social science methods. Extrapolative forecasting, trend analysis, modeling, econometric analysis and intuitive projection techniques. Cost-benefit analysis, fiscal impact analysis, discounting to present value, efficiency analysis, sensitivity analysis, allocation formulas, political feasibility, scenario writing and management of uncertainty.

Read Chapter 7.1 and be prepared to discuss. Assignment of Case Presentation Groups and Cases

11-8 Evaluating Alternative Policies (Continued)

11-20 Displaying Alternatives and Distinguishing Among Them Multiple criteria analysis, implementation and monitoring. Selecting the best policy by displaying alternatives and distinguishing among them. Review of selection methodologies, including individual and collective rationality. Basic comparison methods, including paired comparisons, non-dominated and equivalent alternatives. Matrix display methods, like scorecard and scenario presentations.

11-22 Displaying Alternatives and Distinguishing Among Them (Continued)

Complete Assignment 11(1 point)

11-27 Monitoring and Evaluating Implemented Policies Evaluating and tracking results across a continuum of success with ex-post evaluations as before-after, with-without and planned-actual.

7 11-29 Monitoring and Evaluating Implemented Policies (Continued)

12-4 Presentation Techniques Effective speaking and graphic techniques. Practical strategies for developing and delivering presentations, including organization and order, physical style and venue. Graphics types (tables and charts), design, styles, formats and organization. Handout composition, formats and usage.

12-6 Case: University on Campus Parking Policies

Read Case 397-408 and be prepared to discuss.

12-11 Team Case Study Presentations

Read Cases and be prepared to discuss.

12-13 Team Case Study Presentations and Course Evaluation

Read Cases and be prepared to discuss.